Power transmission device

ABSTRACT

A power transmission device includes first and second drive shafts, a differential mechanism, a case, a pinion shaft, a pinion gear, and a bearing. The differential mechanism is connected to the second drive shaft. The differential mechanism includes a first side gear connected to the first drive shaft, a second side gear, first and second pinion mate gears that engage with the first and second side gears, first and second pinion mate shafts that respectively support the first and second pinion mate gears. The pinion gear includes small and large diameter gear parts. The bearing is positioned between the pinion shaft and the pinion gear, and is lubricated via an oil hole that is open facing an outside of the case at a small diameter gear part side. The small diameter gear part is positioned between the first and second pinion mate shafts in a circumferential direction.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a U.S. national phase application of PCT/JP2020/045420, filed on Dec. 7, 2020, which claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2019-240039, filed on Dec. 30, 2019. The entire disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No. 2019-240039 is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a power transmission device.

BACKGROUND ART

Disclosed in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application Publication No. H08-240254 is a power transmission device for an electric automobile that has a bevel gear type differential mechanism and a planetary gear mechanism. This planetary gear mechanism comprises a stepped pinion gear having a large pinion gear and a small pinion gear.

SUMMARY

In the power transmission device, the constituent components of the power transmission device are arranged closely. To suitably lubricate each of the closely arranged constituent components, various contrivances are necessary, and there is a desire to increase the amount of lubrication in power transmission devices.

A power transmission device according to one embodiment comprises: a first drive shaft, a second drive shaft, a differential mechanism connected to the first drive shaft and the second drive shaft, a case that houses the differential mechanism, a pinion shaft supported by the case, a pinion gear that uses the pinion shaft as the shaft center, and a bearing that is positioned between the pinion shaft and the pinion gear, and that is lubricated via the oil hole that opens facing the outside of the case.

According to certain modes of the present invention, it is possible to provide a power transmission device having a structure with a high degree of freedom for lubrication design.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a skeleton diagram of a power transmission device.

FIG. 2 is a cross section schematic diagram of the power transmission device.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view around a planetary reduction gear of the power transmission device.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view around a differential mechanism of the power transmission device.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the differential mechanism of the power transmission device.

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the differential mechanism of the power transmission device.

FIG. 7 is a drawing for explaining a first case unit of the differential mechanism.

FIG. 8 is a drawing for explaining the first case unit of the differential mechanism.

FIG. 9 is a drawing for explaining the first case unit of the differential mechanism.

FIG. 10 is a drawing for explaining the first case unit of the differential mechanism.

FIG. 11 is a drawing for explaining a second case unit of the differential mechanism.

FIG. 12 is a drawing for explaining the second case unit of the differential mechanism.

FIG. 13 is a drawing for explaining the second case unit of the differential mechanism.

FIG. 14 is a drawing for explaining the second case unit of the differential mechanism.

FIG. 15 is a drawing for explaining the second case unit of the differential mechanism.

FIG. 16 is a drawing for explaining the second case unit of the differential mechanism.

FIG. 17 is a drawing for explaining the second case unit of the differential mechanism.

FIG. 18 is a drawing for explaining the second case unit of the differential mechanism.

FIG. 19 is a drawing for explaining the second case unit of the differential mechanism.

FIG. 20 is a drawing for explaining the second case unit of the differential mechanism.

FIG. 21 is a drawing for explaining an oil catch unit.

FIG. 22 is a drawing for explaining the oil catch unit.

FIG. 23 is a drawing for explaining the oil catch unit.

FIG. 24 is a drawing for explaining the oil catch unit.

FIG. 25 is a drawing for explaining the oil catch unit.

FIG. 26 is a drawing for explaining the oil catch unit.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Following, an embodiment of the present invention is explained.

FIG. 1 is a skeleton diagram for explaining a power transmission device 1 according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a cross section schematic diagram for explaining the power transmission device 1 of the present embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view around a planetary reduction gear 4 of the power transmission device 1.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view around a differential mechanism 5 of the power transmission device 1.

As shown in FIG. 1 , the power transmission device 1 has a motor 2, and the planetary reduction gear 4 (reduction mechanism) that reduces the output rotation of the motor 2 and inputs it to the differential mechanism 5. The power transmission device 1 also has a drive shaft 9 and a park lock mechanism 3. The drive shaft 9 has a drive shaft 9A (second drive shaft) and a drive shaft 9B (first drive shaft).

In the power transmission device 1, the park lock mechanism 3, the planetary reduction gear 4, the differential mechanism 5, and the drive shafts 9 (9A, 9B) are provided along the transmission route of the output rotation around the rotation axis X of the motor 2. The axis line of the drive shafts 9 (9A, 9B) is coaxial with the rotation axis X of the motor 2.

In the power transmission device 1, after being reduced by the planetary reduction gear 4 and inputted to the differential mechanism 5, the output rotation of the motor 2 is transmitted via the drive shafts 9 (9A, 9B) to left and right drive wheels W, W of a vehicle in which the power transmission device 1 is mounted.

Here, the planetary reduction gear 4 is connected downstream of the motor 2, the differential mechanism 5 is connected downstream of the planetary reduction gear 4, and the drive shafts 9 (9A, 9B) are connected downstream of the differential mechanism 5.

As shown in FIG. 2 , a body box 10 of the power transmission 1 has a first box 11 that houses the motor 2, and a second box 12 that is externally fitted on the first box 11. The body box 10 also has a third box 13 assembled on the first box 11, and a fourth box 14 assembled on the second box 12.

The first box 11 has a cylindrical support wall part 111, and a flange shaped junction part 112 provided on one end 111 a of the support wall part 111.

In the first box 11, the support wall part 111 is provided facing along the rotation axis X. The motor 2 is housed inside the support wall part 111.

The junction part 112 is provided facing orthogonal to the rotation axis X. The junction part 112 is formed with a larger outer diameter than the support wall part 111.

The second box 12 has a cylindrical peripheral wall part 121, a flange shaped junction part 122 provided on one end 121 a of the peripheral wall part 121, and a flange shaped junction part 123 provided on another end 121 b of the peripheral wall part 121.

The peripheral wall part 121 is formed with an inner diameter that can be externally fitted on the support wall part 111 of the first box 11.

The first box 11 and the second box 12 are assembled to each other by the peripheral wall part 121 of the second box 12 being externally fitted on the support wall part 111 of the first box 11.

The junction part 122 of the one end 121 a side of the peripheral wall part 121 abuts the junction part 112 of the first box 11 from the rotation axis X direction. These junction parts 122, 112 are linked to each other by bolts (not illustrated).

In the first box 11, a plurality of recessed grooves 111 b are provided on the outer circumference of the support wall part 111. The plurality of recessed grooves 111 b are provided with a gap open in the rotation axis X direction. Each of the recessed grooves 111 b is provided along the entire circumference in the circumferential direction around the rotation axis X.

The peripheral wall part 121 of the second box 12 is externally fitted on the support wall part 111 of the first box 11. The openings of the recessed grooves 111 b are closed by the peripheral wall part 121. A plurality of cooling paths CP through which cooling water is circulated are formed between the support wall part 111 and the peripheral wall part 121.

At the outer circumference of the support wall part 111 of the first box 11, ring grooves 111 c, 111 c are formed at both sides of the region in which the recessed grooves 111 b are provided. Seal rings 113, 113 are externally engaged and attached to the ring grooves 111 c, 111 c.

These seal rings 113 are press fitted on the inner circumference of the peripheral wall part 121 that is externally fitted on the support wall part 111, and seal the gap between the outer circumference of the support wall part 111 and the inner circumference of the peripheral wall part 121.

On the other end 121 b of the second box 12, a wall part 120 extending to the inner diameter side is provided. The wall part 120 is provided facing orthogonal to the rotation axis X. An opening 120 a in which the drive shaft 9A is inserted is opened in the region intersecting the rotation axis X of the wall part 120.

In the wall part 120, a cylindrical motor support unit 125 that surrounds the opening 120 a is provided on the motor 2 side (right side in the drawing) surface.

The motor support unit 125 is inserted inside a coil end 253 b described later. The motor support unit 125 faces an end part 21 b of a rotor core 21 with a gap open in the rotation axis X direction.

In the peripheral wall part 121 of the second box 12, in the lower region in the vertical line direction with the mounted state of the power transmission device 1 in the vehicle as reference, the thickness in the radial direction is thicker than the upper region.

In this region that is thick in the radial direction, an oil reservoir 128 is provided penetrating in the rotation axis X direction.

The oil reservoir 128 is connected via a communication hole 112 a to an axial oil passage 138 provided in a junction part 132 of the third box 13. The communication hole 112 a is provided in the junction part 112 of the first box 11.

The third box 13 has a wall part 130 that is orthogonal to the rotation axis X. A junction part 132 that forms a ring shape seen from the rotation axis X direction is provided on the outer circumference part of the wall part 130.

Seen from the first box 11, the third box 13 is positioned on the opposite side (right side in the drawing) from the differential mechanism 5. The junction part 132 of the third box 13 is joined to the junction part 112 of the first box 11 from the rotation axis X direction. The third box 13 and the first box 11 are linked to each other by bolts (not illustrated). In this state, in the first box 11, the opening on the junction part 122 side (right side in the drawing) of the support wall part 111 is blocked by the third box 13.

In the third box 13, an insertion hole 130 a of the drive shaft 9A is provided in the center of the wall part 130.

A lip seal RS is provided on the inner circumference of the insertion hole 130 a. In the lip seal RS, a lip section (not illustrated) is in elastic contact with the outer circumference of the drive shaft 9A. The gap between the inner circumference of the insertion hole 130 a and the outer circumference of the drive shaft 9A is sealed by the lip seal RS.

A peripheral wall part 131 that surrounds the insertion hole 130 a is provided on the surface of the first box 11 side (left side in the drawing) in the wall part 130. The drive shaft 9A is supported with a bearing B4 interposed on the inner circumference of the peripheral wall part 131.

Seen from the peripheral wall part 131, a motor support unit 135 is provided on the motor 2 side (left side in the drawing). The motor support unit 135 forms a tube shape that surrounds the rotation axis X with a gap open.

A cylindrical connecting wall 136 is connected to the outer circumference of the motor support unit 135. The connecting wall 136 is formed with a larger outer diameter than the peripheral wall part 131 of the wall part 130 side (right side in the drawing). The connecting wall 136 is provided facing along the rotation axis X, and extends in the direction separating from the motor 2. The connecting wall 136 connects the motor support unit 135 and the wall part 130 of the third box 13.

The motor support unit 135 is supported by the third box 13 with the connecting wall 136 interposed. One end 20 a side of a motor shaft 20 penetrates the inside of the motor support unit 135 from the motor 2 side to the peripheral wall part 131 side.

A bearing B1 is supported on the inner circumference of the motor support unit 135. The outer circumference of the motor shaft 20 is supported by the motor support unit 135 with the bearing B1 interposed.

The lip seal RS is provided on the position adjacent to the bearing B1.

In the third box 13, an oil hole 136 a described later is open at the inner circumference of the connecting wall 136. Oil OL from the oil hole 136 a is made to flow into a space (internal space Sc) surrounded by the connecting wall 136. The lip seal RS is provided to prevent the inflow of oil OL inside the connecting wall 136 to the motor 2 side.

The fourth box 14 has a peripheral wall part 141 that surrounds the outer circumference of the planetary reduction gear 4 and the differential mechanism 5, and a flange shaped junction part 142 provided on the end part of the second box 12 side in the peripheral wall part 141. The fourth box 14 functions as a box that houses the planetary reduction gear 4 and the differential mechanism 5.

The fourth box 14 is positioned at the differential mechanism 5 side (left side in the drawing) seen from the second box 12. The junction part 142 of the fourth box 14 is joined from the rotation axis X direction to the junction part 123 of the second box 12. The fourth box 14 and the second box 12 are linked to each other by bolts (not illustrated).

Inside the body box 10 of the power transmission device 1, a motor chamber Sa that houses the motor 2 and a gear chamber Sb that houses the planetary reduction gear 4 and the differential mechanism 5 are formed.

The motor chamber Sa is formed between the wall part 120 of the second box 12 and the wall part 130 of the third box 13 on the inside of the first box 11.

The gear chamber Sb is formed between the wall part 120 of the second box 12 and the peripheral wall part 141 of the fourth box 14 on the inner diameter side of the fourth box 14.

A plate member 8 is provided on the inside of the gear chamber Sb.

The plate member 8 is fixed to the fourth box 14.

In the plate member 8, the gear chamber Sb is partitioned into a first gear chamber Sb1 that houses the planetary reduction gear 4 and the differential mechanism 5, and a second gear chamber Sb2 that houses the park lock mechanism 3.

The second gear chamber Sb2 is positioned between the first gear chamber Sb1 and the motor chamber Sa in the rotation axis X direction.

The motor 2 has the cylindrical motor shaft 20, the cylindrical rotor core 21 externally fitted on the motor shaft 20, and a stator core 25 that surrounds the outer circumference of the rotor core 21 with a gap open.

In the motor shaft 20, bearings B1, B1 are externally fitted and fixed at both sides of the rotor core 21.

The bearing B1 positioned at one end 20 a side (right side in the drawing) of the motor shaft 20 seen from the rotor core 21 is supported on the inner circumference of the motor support unit 135 of the third box 13. The bearing B1 positioned at the other end 20 b side is supported on the inner circumference of the cylindrical motor support unit 125 of the second box 12.

The motor support units 135, 125 are arranged facing with a gap open in the rotation axis X direction on the one end part 21 a and the other end part 21 b of the rotor core 21 on the inner diameter side of coil ends 253 a, 253 b described later.

The rotor core 21 is formed by laminating a plurality of silicon steel sheets, and each of the silicon steel sheets is externally fitted on the motor shaft 20 in a state where relative rotation with the motor shaft 20 is regulated.

Seen from the rotation axis X direction of the motor shaft 20, the silicon steel sheet has a ring shape. At the outer circumference side of the silicon steel sheet, N pole and S pole magnets (not illustrated) are provided alternately in the circumferential direction around the rotation axis X.

The stator core 25 surrounding the outer circumference of the rotor core 21 is formed by laminating a plurality of electromagnetic steel sheets. The stator core 25 is fixed to the inner circumference of the cylindrical support wall part 111 of the first box 11.

Each of the electromagnetic steel sheets has a ring-shaped yoke part 251 fixed to the inner circumference of the support wall part 111, and a teeth part 252 projecting to the rotor core 21 side from the inner circumference of the yoke part 251.

With the present embodiment, the stator core 25 having a configuration in which a winding 253 is distributed and wound across a plurality of teeth parts 252 is adopted. The stator core 25 has a longer length in the rotation axis X direction than the rotor core 21 by the amount of the coil ends 253 a, 253 b projecting in the rotation axis X direction.

It is also possible to adopt the stator core of a configuration in which the windings are concentrically wound on each of the plurality of teeth parts 252 projecting to the rotor core 21 side.

The opening 120 a is provided in the wall part 120 (motor support unit 125) of the second box 12. The other end 20 b side of the motor shaft 20 is positioned inside the fourth box 14, penetrating the opening 120 a at the differential mechanism 5 side (left side in the drawing).

The other end 20 b of the motor shaft 20 faces a side gear 54A described later with a gap open in the rotation axis X direction on the inside of the fourth box 14.

As shown in FIG. 3 , in the motor shaft 20, a step 201 is provided in a region positioned inside the fourth box 14. The step 201 is positioned in the vicinity of the motor support unit 125. The lip seal RS supported on the inner circumference of the motor support unit 125 is abutting the outer circumference of the region between the step 201 and the bearing B1.

The lip seal RS is partitioned into the motor chamber Sa that houses the motor 2 and the gear chamber Sb inside the fourth box 14.

The oil OL for lubricating the planetary reduction gear 4 and the differential mechanism 5 is sealed at the inner diameter side of the fourth box 14 (see FIG. 2 ).

The lip seal RS is provided to prevent inflow of the oil OL to the motor chamber Sa.

As shown in FIG. 3 , in the motor shaft 20, the region from the step 201 to the vicinity of the other end 20 b is a fitted part 202 with a spline provided on the outer circumference.

The parking gear 30 and a sun gear 41 are spline fitted on the outer circumference of the fitted part 202.

In the parking gear 30, one side surface of the parking gear 30 in the rotation axis X direction abuts the step 201 (right side in the drawing). One end 410 a of a cylindrical base 410 of the sun gear 41 abuts the other side surface of the parking gear 30 (left side in the drawing).

A nut N screwed onto the other end 20 b of the motor shaft 20 is press fitted from the rotation axis X direction on the other end 410 b of the base 410.

The sun gear 41 and the parking gear 30 are provided in a state sandwiched between the nut N and the step 201, without being able to rotate relatively to the motor shaft 20.

The sun gear 41 has teeth 411 on the outer circumference of the other end 20 b side of the motor shaft 20. A large diameter gear part 431 of a stepped pinion gear 43 as the pinion gear engages with the outer circumference of the teeth 411.

The stepped pinion gear 43 has the large diameter gear part 431 that engages with the sun gear 41, and a small diameter gear part 432 with a smaller diameter than the large diameter gear part 431.

The stepped pinion gear 43 is a gear component in which the large diameter gear part 431 and the small diameter gear part 432 are provided integrally aligned in an axis line X1 direction parallel to the rotation axis X.

The large diameter gear part 431 is formed with an outer diameter R1 greater than an outer diameter R2 of the small diameter gear part 432.

The stepped pinion gear 43 is provided facing along the axis line X1. In this state, the large diameter gear part 431 is positioned at the motor 2 side (right side in the drawing).

The outer circumference of the small diameter gear part 432 is engaged with the inner circumference of a ring gear 42. The ring gear 42 forms a ring shape that surrounds the rotation axis X with a gap open. A plurality of engagement teeth 421 projecting radially outward are provided on the outer circumference of the ring gear 42. The plurality of engagement teeth 421 have a plurality provided at prescribed intervals in the circumferential direction around the rotation axis X.

In the ring gear 42, the engagement teeth 421 provided on the outer circumference are spline fitted to teeth 146 a provided on a support wall part 146 of the fourth box 14. Rotation of the ring gear 42 around the rotation axis X is regulated.

The stepped pinion gear 43 has a through hole 430 penetrating the inner diameter side of the large diameter gear part 431 and the small diameter gear part 432 in the axis line X1 direction.

The stepped pinion gear 43 is supported to be able to rotate on the outer circumference of a pinion shaft 44 penetrating the through hole 430 with the needle bearings NB, NB interposed as the bearings.

On the outer circumference of the pinion shaft 44, a middle spacer MS is interposed between the needle bearing NB that supports the inner circumference of the large diameter gear part 431 and the needle bearing NB that supports the inner circumference of the small diameter gear part 432.

As shown in FIG. 4 , a shaft-internal oil passage 440 is provided on the inside of the pinion shaft 44. The shaft-internal oil passage 440 penetrates from one end 44 a of the pinion shaft 44 to another end 44 b along the axis line X1.

Oil holes 442, 443 that communicate between the shaft-internal oil passage 440 and the outer circumference of the pinion shaft 44 are provided on the pinion shaft 44.

The oil hole 443 opens in the region in which the needle bearing NB that supports the inner circumference of the large diameter gear part 431 is provided.

The oil hole 442 opens in the region in which the needle bearing NB that supports the inner circumference of the small diameter gear part 432 is provided.

In the pinion shaft 44, the oil holes 443, 442 open inside the region in which the stepped pinion gear 43 is externally fitted.

Furthermore, an introduction path 441 for introducing the oil OL into the shaft-internal oil passage 440 is provided in the pinion shaft 44.

In the outer circumference of the pinion shaft 44, the introduction path 441 opens in the region positioned inside a support hole 71 a of a second case unit 7 described later. The introduction path 441 communicates between the shaft-internal oil passage 440 and the outer circumference of the pinion shaft 44.

A case-internal oil passage 781 is opened on the inner circumference of the support hole 71 a. The case-internal oil passage 781 communicates between the outer circumference of the rotation axis X side of a guide unit 78 projecting from a base 71 of the second case unit 7 and the inner circumference of the support hole 71 a.

In the cross section view along the axis line X1, the case-internal oil passage 781 is inclined with respect to the axis line X1. The case-internal oil passage 781 is inclined facing toward a slit shaped oil hole 710 provided in the base 71 as it faces the rotation axis X side.

The oil OL scooped up by a differential case 50 described later flows into the case-internal oil passage 781. The oil OL that moves to the outer diameter side by centrifugal force due to rotation of the differential case 50 also flows into the case-internal oil passage 781.

The oil OL that flows into the introduction path 441 from the case-internal oil passage 781 flows into the shaft-internal oil passage 440 of the pinion shaft 44. The oil OL that flows into the shaft-internal oil passage 440 is discharged radially outward from the oil holes 442, 443. The oil OL discharged from the oil holes 442, 443 lubricates the needle bearing NB externally fitted on the pinion shaft 44.

In the pinion shaft 44, a through hole 444 is provided more to the other end 44 b side than the region in which the introduction path 441 is provided. The through hole 444 penetrates the pinion shaft 44 in the diameter line direction.

The pinion shaft 44 is provided so that the through hole 444 and an insertion hole 782 of the second case unit 7 described later are in phase around the axis line X1. A positioning pin P inserted in the insertion hole 782 penetrates the through hole 444 of the pinion shaft 44. As a result, the pinion shaft 44 is supported on the second case unit 7 side in a state with rotation around the axis line X1 regulated.

As shown in FIG. 4 , on the one end 44 a side in the lengthwise direction of the pinion shaft 44, a region projecting from the stepped pinion gear 43 is a first shaft part 445. The first shaft part 445 is supported by a support hole 61 a provided in a first case unit 6 of the differential case 50.

At the other end 44 b side in the lengthwise direction of the pinion shaft 44, the region projecting from the stepped pinion gear 43 is a second shaft part 446. The second shaft part 446 is supported by the support hole 71 a provided in the second case unit 7 of the differential case 50.

Here, the first shaft part 445 means a region of the one end 44 a side in which the stepped pinion gear 43 is not externally fitted in the pinion shaft 44. The second shaft part 446 means a region of the other end 44 b side in which the stepped pinion gear 43 is not externally fitted in the pinion shaft 44.

In the pinion shaft 44, the length of the axis line X1 direction is longer for the second shaft part 446 than the first shaft part 445.

Following, the main configuration of the differential mechanism 5 is explained.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view around the differential case 50 of the differential mechanism 5.

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view around the differential case 50 of the differential mechanism 5.

As shown in FIG. 4 to FIG. 6 , the differential case 50 as a case houses the differential mechanism 5. The differential case 50 is formed by assembling the first case unit 6 and the second case unit 7 in the rotation axis X direction. In the present embodiment, the first case unit 6 and the second case unit 7 of the differential case 50 have a function as carriers that support the pinion shaft 44 of the planetary reduction gear 4.

As shown in FIG. 6 , three pinion mate gears 52 and three pinion mate shafts 51 are provided between the first case unit 6 and the second case unit 7 of the differential case 50. The pinion mate shafts 51 function as support shafts that support the pinion mate gears 52.

The pinion mate shafts 51 are provided at equal intervals in the circumferential direction around the rotation axis X (see FIG. 6 ).

The end part of the inner diameter side of each pinion mate shaft 51 is linked to a common linking part 510.

One pinion mate gear 52 each is externally fitted on the pinion mate shafts 51. Each pinion mate gear 52 is in contact with the linking part 510 from the radial outward side of the rotation axis X.

Each of the pinion mate gears 52 in this state is supported to be rotatable on the pinion mate shaft 51.

As shown in FIG. 4 , a spherical washer 53 is externally fitted on the pinion mate shaft 51. The spherical washer 53 is in contact with the spherical outer circumference of the pinion mate gear 52.

In the differential case 50, the side gear 54A is positioned at one side of the linking part 510 in the rotation axis X direction, and a side gear 54B is positioned at the other side. The side gear 54A is supported to be rotatable on the first case unit 6. The side gear 54B is supported to be rotatable on the second case unit 7.

The side gear 54A is engaged to the three pinion mate gears 52 from one side in the rotation axis X direction. The side gear 54B engages with the three pinion mate gears 52 from the other side in the rotation axis X direction.

From FIG. 7 to FIG. 10 are drawings for explaining the first case unit 6.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the first case unit 6 seen from the second case unit 7 side.

FIG. 8 is a plan view of the first case unit 6 seen from the second case unit 7 side.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of the A-A cross section in FIG. 8 . FIG. 9 shows the arrangement of the pinion mate shaft 51 and the pinion mate gear 52 using virtual lines.

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of the A-A cross section in FIG. 8 . FIG. 10 shows the arrangement of the side gear 54A, the stepped pinion gear 43, and the drive shaft 9A using virtual lines while omitting an illustration of a linking beam 62 of the paper surface back side.

As shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 , the first case unit 6 has a ring-shaped base 61. The base 61 is a plate shaped member having a thickness W61 in the rotation axis X direction.

As shown in FIG. 9 and FIG. 10 , an opening 60 is provided in the center of the base 61. A cylinder wall part 611 that surrounds the opening 60 is provided on the surface on the side opposite to the second case unit 7 (right side in the drawing) in the base 61. The outer circumference of the cylinder wall part 611 is supported by the plate member 8 with a bearing B3 interposed (see FIG. 2 ).

Three linking beams 62 extending to the second case unit 7 side are provided on the surface of the second case unit 7 side (left side in the drawing) in the base 61.

The linking beams 62 are provided at equal intervals in the circumferential direction around the rotation axis X (see FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 ).

The linking beams 62 have a base 63 orthogonal to the base 61 and a linking part 64 that is wider than the base 63.

As shown in FIG. 9 , a tip surface 64 a of the linking part 64 is a flat surface orthogonal to the rotation axis X. A support groove 65 for supporting the pinion mate shaft 51 is provided on the tip surface 64 a.

As shown in FIG. 8 , the support groove 65 seen from the rotation axis X direction is formed in a straight line along a radius line L of the ring-shaped base 61. The support groove 65 crosses the center of the linking part 64 from the inner diameter side to the outer diameter side in the circumferential direction around the rotation axis X.

As shown in FIG. 9 and FIG. 10 , the support groove 65 forms a semicircle shape along the outer diameter of the pinion mate shaft 51. The support groove 65 is formed at a depth that can house half of the cylindrical pinion mate shaft 51. Specifically, the support groove 65 is formed at a depth corresponding to half the diameter Da of the pinion mate shaft 51 (=Da/2).

An arc part 641 is formed in a shape along the outer circumference of the pinion mate gear 52 on the inner diameter side (rotation axis X side) of the linking part 64.

In the arc part 641, the outer circumference of the pinion mate gear 52 is supported with the spherical washer 53 interposed.

In the arc part 641, an oil groove 642 is provided facing along the radius line L noted above. The oil groove 642 is provided in a range from the support groove 65 of the pinion mate shaft 51 to a gear support part 66 fixed to the inner circumference of the linking part 64.

The gear support part 66 is connected to the boundary of the base 63 and the linking part 64. The gear support part 66 is provided facing orthogonal to the rotation axis X. The gear support part 66 has a through hole 660 at the center.

As shown in FIG. 8 , the outer circumference of the gear support part 66 is connected to the inner circumference of the three linking parts 64. In this state, the center of the through hole 660 is positioned on the rotation axis X.

As shown in FIG. 9 and FIG. 10 , in the gear support part 66, a recess 661 surrounding the through hole 660 is provided on the surface of the side opposite to the base 61 (left side in the drawing). In the recess 661, a ring-shaped washer 55 that supports the back surface of the side gear 54A is housed.

A cylindrical cylinder wall part 541 is provided on the back surface of the side gear 54A. The washer 55 is externally fitted on the cylinder wall part 541.

Seen from the rotation axis X direction, three oil grooves 662 are provided on the surface of the recess 661 side in the gear support part 66. The oil grooves 662 are provided at prescribed intervals in the circumferential direction around the rotation axis X.

The oil groove 662 extends from the inner circumference of the gear support part 66 to the outer circumference along the radius line L noted above. The oil groove 662 is in contact with the oil groove 642 on the arc part 641 side noted above.

As shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 , the support holes 61 a of the pinion shaft 44 are open on the base 61. The support holes 61 a are open at the region between the linking beams 62, 62 arranged at prescribed intervals in the circumferential direction around the rotation axis X.

A boss part 616 surrounding the support hole 61 a is provided on the base 61. A washer We (see FIG. 10 ) externally fitted on the pinion shaft 44 is in contact with the boss part 616 from the rotation axis X direction.

In the base 61, an oil groove 617 is provided in the range from the center opening 60 to the boss part 616.

As shown in FIG. 8 , the oil groove 617 is formed in a tapered shape in which the circumferential direction width around the rotation axis X becomes narrower as it approaches the boss part 616. The oil groove 617 is connected to an oil groove 618 provided on the boss part 616.

In the linking part 64, bolt holes 67, 67 are provided at both sides of the support groove 65.

A linking part 74 of the second case unit 7 side is joined from the rotation axis X direction to the linking part 64 of the first case unit 6. The first case unit 6 and the second case unit 7 are joined to each other by the bolts B that penetrate the linking part 74 of the second case unit 7 side being screwed into bolt holes 67, 67.

FIG. 11 to FIG. 20 are drawings for explaining the second case unit 7.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the second case unit 7 seen from the first case unit 6 side.

FIG. 12 is a plan view of the second case unit 7 seen from the first case unit 6 side.

FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram of the A-A cross section in FIG. 12 . FIG. 13 shows the arrangement of the pinion mate shaft 51 and the pinion mate gear 52 using virtual lines.

FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram of the A-A cross section in FIG. 12 . FIG. 14 shows the arrangement of the side gear 54B, the stepped pinion gear 43, and the drive shaft 9B using virtual lines while omitting an illustration of the linking part 74 at the paper surface back side.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the second case unit 7 seen from the side opposite to the first case unit 6.

FIG. 16 is a plan view of the second case unit 7 seen from the side opposite to the first case unit 6.

FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram of the A-A cross section in FIG. 16 .

FIG. 18 is a schematic diagram of the B-B cross section in FIG. 16 .

FIG. 19 is a schematic diagram of the C-C cross section in FIG. 16 .

FIG. 20 is a drawing for explaining the operation of a rib 711.

As shown in FIG. 13 and FIG. 14 , the second case unit 7 has the ring-shaped base 71.

The base 71 is a plate shaped member having a thickness W71 in the rotation axis X direction.

A through hole 70 that penetrates the base 71 in the thickness direction is provided at the center of the base 71.

A cylinder wall part 72 that surrounds the through hole 70 and a cylindrical guide unit 73 that surrounds the cylinder wall part 72 with a prescribed gap are provided at the surface on the side opposite to the first case unit 6 (left side in the drawing) in the base 71.

As shown in FIG. 17 , a step 722 is provided on the outer circumference of the cylinder wall part 72. In the cylinder wall part 72, the outer diameter is greater at the base 71 side than at the tip side. A height h72 from the base 71 to the step 722 is higher than a height h73 from the base 71 to the guide unit 73 (h73<h72).

A projection 73 a projecting to the rotation axis X side is provided at the tip of the guide unit 73. The projection 73 a is provided across the entire circumference in the circumferential direction around the rotation axis X.

Three support holes 71 a of the pinion shaft 44 are open at the outer diameter side of the guide unit 73 as shown in FIG. 16 .

The support holes 71 a are provided with gaps open in the circumferential direction around the rotation axis X.

Three oil holes 710 penetrating the base 71 in the thickness direction are provided on the inner diameter side of the guide unit 73. The oil holes 710 are open facing the outside of the differential case 50 in the rotation axis X direction.

The oil holes 710 seen from the rotation axis X direction form an arc shape along the inner circumference of the guide unit 73. The oil holes 710 are formed in a prescribed angle range in the circumferential direction around the rotation axis X.

As shown in FIG. 13 , the outer circumference edge of the oil holes 710 are flush with an inner circumference surface 731 of the guide unit 73.

As shown in FIG. 16 , the oil holes 710 in the second case unit 7 are provided with a gap open in the circumferential direction around the rotation axis X. Each of the oil holes 710 are provided crossing the inner diameter side of the support hole 71 a around the rotation axis X.

Ribs 711 projecting to the paper surface front side are provided between adjacent oil holes 710, 710 in the circumferential direction around the rotation axis X. The ribs 711 extend in a straight line in the radial direction of the rotation axis X. The ribs 711 are provided connecting the guide unit 73 of the outer diameter side and the cylinder wall part 72 of the inner diameter side.

As shown in FIG. 19 and FIG. 20 , recessed grooves 711 a, 711 b are formed at one side and the other side of the ribs 711 in the circumferential direction around the rotation axis X.

These recessed grooves 711 a, 711 b are formed in a range from the cylinder wall part 72 of the inner diameter side to the projection 73 a of the guide unit 73.

As shown in FIG. 16 , the three ribs 711 are provided with a gap open in the circumferential direction around the rotation axis X. The three ribs 711 are provided with a phase shift of approximately 45 degrees in the circumferential direction around the rotation axis X with respect to the oil holes 710.

Bolt housing parts 76, 76 recessed at the paper surface back side are provided between support holes 71 a, 71 a adjacent in the circumferential direction around the rotation axis X at the outer diameter side of the guide unit 73. These bolt housing parts 76, 76 are provided in a positional relationship that is symmetrical with the radius line L sandwiched between. The bolt housing parts 76 open at an outer circumference 71 c of the base 71.

Bolt insertion holes 77 open at the inside of the bolt housing parts 76. The insertion holes 77 penetrate the base 71 in the thickness direction (rotation axis X direction).

As shown in FIG. 11 and FIG. 12 , the three linking parts 74 projecting to the first case unit 6 side are provided on the surface of the first case unit 6 side (right side in the drawing) in the base 71.

The linking parts 74 are provided at equal intervals in the circumferential direction around the rotation axis X. The linking parts 74 are formed at a width W7 in the same circumferential direction as the linking parts 64 of the first case unit 6 side.

As shown in FIG. 13 , a tip surface 74 a of the linking part 74 is a flat surface orthogonal to the rotation axis X. A support groove 75 for supporting the pinion mate shaft 51 is provided on the tip surface 74 a.

As shown in FIG. 12 , the support groove 75 seen from the rotation axis X direction is formed in a straight line along the radius line L of the base 71. The support groove 75 is formed crossing the linking part 74 from the inner diameter side to the outer diameter side.

As shown in FIG. 5 , the support groove 75 forms a semicircle shape along the outer diameter of the pinion mate shaft 51.

As shown in FIG. 13 , the support groove 75 is formed at a depth capable of housing half of the cylindrical pinion mate shaft 51. Specifically, the support groove 75 is formed at a depth corresponding to half the diameter Da (=Da/2) of the pinion mate shaft 51.

An arc part 741 is provided along the outer circumference of the pinion mate gear 52 on the inner diameter side (rotation axis X side) of the linking part 74.

In the arc part 741, the outer circumference of the pinion mate gear 52 is supported with the spherical washer 53 interposed (see FIG. 13 and FIG. 14 ).

An oil groove 742 facing along the radius line L noted above is provided in the arc part 741. The oil groove 742 is provided in a range from the support groove 75 of the pinion mate shaft 51 to the base 71 positioned at the inner circumference of the linking part 74.

The oil groove 742 connects with an oil groove 712 provided in a front surface 71 b of the base 71. The oil groove 712 seen from the rotation axis X direction is provided along the radius line L, and is formed to the through hole 70 provided in the base 71.

The ring-shaped washer 55 that supports the back surface of the side gear 54B is placed on the front surface 71 b of the base 71. A cylindrical cylinder wall part 540 is provided on the back surface of the side gear 54B. The washer 55 is externally fitted on the cylinder wall part 540.

An oil groove 721 is formed at the position intersecting the oil groove 712 on the inner circumference of the cylinder wall part 72 surrounding the though hole 70. The oil groove 721 is provided facing along the rotation axis X across the entire length of the rotation axis X direction of the cylinder wall part 72 on the inner circumference of the cylinder wall part 72.

As shown in FIG. 11 and FIG. 12 , the guide unit 78 is provided between linking parts 74, 74 adjacent in the circumferential direction around the rotation axis X at the base 71 of the second case unit 7. The guide unit 78 projects to the first case unit 6 side (paper surface front side).

The guide unit 78 forms a cylinder seen from the rotation axis X direction. The guide unit 78 surrounds the support hole 71 a provided in the base 71. The outer circumference part of the guide unit 78 is cut along the outer circumference 71 c of the base 71.

As shown in FIG. 13 and FIG. 14 , in the cross section view along the axis line X1, the pinion shaft 44 is inserted from the first case unit 6 side in the support hole 71 a of the guide unit 78. The pinion shaft 44 is positioned by the positioning pin P in a state with the rotation around the axis line X1 regulated.

In this state, the small diameter gear part 432 of the stepped pinion gear 43 externally fitted on the pinion shaft 44 abuts the guide unit 78 from the axis line X1 direction with the washer We sandwiched between.

As shown in FIG. 4 , in the differential case 50, a bearing B2 is externally fitted on the cylinder wall part 72 of the second case unit 7. The bearing B2 abuts an inner race on the step 722 provided on the outer circumference of the cylinder wall part 72 from the rotation axis X direction. The bearing B2 that is externally fitted on the cylinder wall part 72 is held by a support unit 145 of the fourth box 14. The cylinder wall part 72 of the differential case 50 is supported to be rotatable with the fourth box 14 with the bearing B2 interposed.

The drive shaft 9B that penetrates an opening 145 a of the fourth box 14 is inserted from the rotation axis X direction in the support unit 145. The drive shaft 9B is supported to be rotatable with the support unit 145. The cylinder wall part 72 functions as a shaft support part that supports the outer circumference of the drive shaft 9B.

The lip seal RS is fixed to the inner circumference of the opening 145 a. The lip section (not illustrated) of the lip seal RS is elastically in contact with the outer circumference of the cylinder wall part 540 of the side gear 54B externally fitted on the drive shaft 9B.

As a result, the gap between the outer circumference of the cylinder wall part 540 of the side gear 54B and the inner circumference of the opening 145 a is sealed.

The first case unit 6 of the differential case 50 is supported by the plate member 8 with the bearing B3 that is externally fitted on the cylinder wall part 611 interposed (see FIG. 2 ).

The drive shaft 9A that penetrates the insertion hole 130 a of the third box 13 is inserted from the rotation axis X direction inside the first case unit 6.

The drive shaft 9A is provided crossing the motor shaft 20 of the motor 2 and the inner diameter side of the sun gear 41 of the planetary reduction gear 4 in the rotation axis X direction.

As shown in FIG. 4 , in the interior of the differential case 50, side gears 54A, 54B are spline fitted at the outer circumference of the tip end part of the drive shafts 9 (9A, 9B). The side gears 54A, 54B and drive shafts 9 (9A, 9B) are linked to be able to rotate integrally around the rotation axis X.

In this state, the side gears 54A, 54B are arranged facing with a gap open in the rotation axis X direction. The linking part 510 of the pinion mate shaft 51 is positioned between the side gears 54A, 54B.

In the present embodiment, the total of three pinion mate shafts 51 extend radially outside from the linking part 510. A pinion mate gear 52 is supported on each of the pinion mate shafts 51. The pinion mate gears 52 are assembled in a state with the teeth mutually engaged on the side gear 54A positioned at one side in the rotation axis X direction and the side gear 54B positioned at the other side.

As shown in FIG. 2 , the oil OL for lubrication is retained inside the fourth box 14. The bottom side of the differential case 50 is positioned within the retained oil OL.

In the present embodiment, when the linking beam 62 is positioned at the bottommost side, the oil OL is retained up to the height at which the linking beam 62 is positioned within the oil OL.

When the output rotation of the motor 2 is transmitted, the retained oil OL is scooped up by the differential case 50 that rotates around the rotation axis X.

FIG. 21 to FIG. 26 are drawings for explaining the oil catch unit 15.

FIG. 21 is a plan view of the fourth box 14 seen from the third box 13 side.

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of the oil catch unit 15 shown in FIG. 21 seen from diagonally above.

FIG. 23 is a plan view of the fourth box 14 seen from the third box 13 side, and is a drawing showing the state with the differential case 50 arranged.

FIG. 24 is a perspective view of the oil catch unit 15 shown in FIG. 23 seen from diagonally above.

FIG. 25 is a schematic diagram of the A-A cross section in FIG. 23 .

FIG. 26 is a schematic diagram for explaining the positional relationship between the oil catch unit 15 and the differential case 50 (first case unit 6, second case unit 7) when the power transmission device 1 is seen from above.

In FIG. 21 and FIG. 23 , to make the position of the junction part 142 of the fourth box 14 and the position of the support wall part 146 clear, these are shown marked by cross hatching.

As shown in FIG. 21 , the support wall part 146 surrounding the center opening 145 a with a prescribed gap is provided in the fourth box 14 seen from the rotation axis X direction. The inside (rotation axis X) side of the support wall part 146 is a housing unit 140 of the differential case 50.

A space of the oil catch unit 15 and a space of a breather chamber 16 are formed on the top part inside the fourth box 14.

In the support wall part 146 of the fourth box 14, a communication port 147 that communicates between the oil catch unit 15 and the housing unit 140 of the differential case 50 is provided in the region intersecting a vertical line VL.

The oil catch unit 15 and the breather chamber 16 are respectively positioned at one side (left side in the drawing) and the other side (right side in the drawing) sandwiching the vertical line VL that is orthogonal to the rotation axis X.

The oil catch unit 15 is arranged at a position offset from the vertical line VL passing through the rotation center of the differential case 50 (rotation axis X). As shown in FIG. 26 , when viewing the oil catch unit 15 from above, the oil catch unit 15 is arranged at a position offset from directly above the differential case 50.

Here, the vertical line VL is a vertical line VL with the installation state of the power transmission device 1 in the vehicle as reference. Seen from the rotation axis X direction, the vertical line VL is orthogonal to the rotation axis X.

As shown in FIG. 22 , the oil catch unit 15 is formed extending to the paper surface back side from the support wall part 146. A support stand 151 projecting to the paper surface front side is provided on the bottom edge of the oil catch unit 15. The support stand 151 is provided on the paper surface front side from the support wall part 146, and in a range to the paper surface back side from the junction part 142 of the fourth box 14.

As shown in FIG. 21 , seen from the rotation axis X direction, the communication port 147 is formed with a portion of the support wall part 146 cut out on the vertical line VL side (right side in the drawing) of the oil catch unit 15. The communication port 147 communicates between the oil catch unit 15 and the housing unit 140 of the differential case 50.

Seen from the rotation axis X direction, the communication port 147 is provided in a range crossing the vertical line VL from the breather chamber 16 side (right side in the drawing) to the oil catch unit 15 side (left side in the drawing).

As shown in FIG. 23 , in the present embodiment, during forward travel of the vehicle in which the power transmission device 1 is mounted, seen from the third box 13 side, the differential case 50 rotates in the counterclockwise direction CCW around the rotation axis X.

For that reason, the oil catch unit 15 is positioned at the downstream side in the rotation direction of the differential case 50. For the width in the circumferential direction of the communication port 147, the left side sandwiching the vertical line VL is wider than the right side. The left side sandwiching the vertical line VL is at the downstream side in the rotation direction of the differential case 50, and the right side is the upstream side. As a result, much of the oil OL scooped up by the differential case 50 rotating around the rotation axis X is made to be able to flow into the oil catch unit 15.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 26 , the outer circumference position of the rotational orbit of a second shaft part 446 and the outer circumference position of the rotational orbit of the large diameter gear part 431 are offset in the radial direction of the rotation axis X. The outer circumference position of the rotational orbit of the second shaft part 446 is positioned more to the inner diameter side than the outer circumference position of the rotational orbit of the large diameter gear part 431.

For that reason, there is a spatial margin at the outer diameter side of the second shaft part 446, and by providing the oil catch unit 15 using this space, it is possible to effectively use the space inside the body box 10.

Also, the second shaft part 446 projects to the back side of the small diameter gear part 432 seen from the motor 2. The peripheral member of the second shaft part 446 (e.g. the guide unit 73 of the differential case 50 that supports the second shaft part 446) is at a position near the oil catch unit 15.

Thus, it is possible to smoothly perform supplying of the oil OL (lubricating oil) from that peripheral member to the oil catch unit 15.

Also, as shown in FIG. 26 , between the second shaft part 446 and the rotation axis X, the guide unit 73 and the oil hole 710 are positioned at the inner diameter side (rotation axis X side) of the second shaft part 446. For that reason, the drive shaft 9B is positioned at the inner diameter side (inner circumference) of the second shaft part 446. The oil hole 710 is positioned at the outer diameter side (outer circumference) of the drive shaft 9B.

Furthermore, the drive shaft 9A is positioned at the inner diameter side (inner circumference) of the first shaft part 445 and the stepped pinion gear 43.

As shown in FIG. 22 , the end part of the outer diameter side of an oil passage 151 a opens at the back side of the support stand 151. The oil passage 151 a extends to the inner diameter side in the fourth box 14 as the box-internal oil passage. The end part of the inner diameter side of the oil passage 151 a is open on the inner circumference of the support unit 145.

As shown in FIG. 2 , the end part of the inner diameter side of the oil passage 151 a in the support unit 145 is open between the lip seal RS and the bearing B2.

As shown in FIG. 24 and FIG. 26 , an oil guide 152 is placed on the support stand 151.

The oil guide 152 has a catch unit 153, and a guide unit 154 extending from the catch unit 153 to the first box 11 side (paper surface front side in FIG. 24 ).

As shown in FIG. 26 , seen from above, the support stand 151 is provided radially outside the rotation axis X, at a position partially overlapping the differential case 50 (first case unit 6, second case unit 7), and to avoid interference with the stepped pinion gear 43 (large diameter gear part 431).

Seen from the radial direction of the rotation axis X, the catch unit 153 is provided at a position overlapping the second shaft part 446 of the pinion shaft 44. Furthermore, the guide unit 154 is provided at a position where the first shaft part 445 of the pinion shaft 44 and the large diameter gear part 431 overlap.

For that reason, when the differential case 50 rotates around the rotation axis X, the oil OL scooped up by the differential case 50 moves toward the catch unit 153 and the guide unit 154 side.

As shown in FIG. 24 , a wall part 153 a extending in the direction separating from the support stand 151 (upward) is provided at the outer circumference edge of the catch unit 153. A portion of the oil OL scooped up by the differential case 50 rotating around the rotation axis X is retained in the oil guide 152 by the wall part 153 a.

A notch part 155 is provided in the wall part 153 a at the back side of the catch unit 153 (paper surface back side in FIG. 24 ).

The notch part 155 is provided in a region facing the oil passage 151 a. A portion of the oil OL retained in the catch unit 153 is discharged from the notch part 155 part toward the oil passage 151 a.

The guide unit 154 is inclined downward as it separates from the catch unit 153. Wall parts 154 a, 154 a are provided at both sides in the width direction of the guide unit 154. The wall parts 154 a, 154 a are provided across the entire length in the lengthwise direction of the guide unit 154. The wall parts 154 a, 154 a are connected to the wall part 153 a that surrounds the outer circumference of the catch unit 153.

A portion of the oil OL retained in the catch unit 153 is also discharged to the guide unit 154 side.

As shown in FIG. 25 and FIG. 26 , in the guide unit 154, the position that avoids interference with the differential case 50 extends to the second box 12 side. A tip 154 b of the guide unit 154 faces a through hole 126 a provided on the wall part 120 of the second box 12 with a gap open in the rotation axis X direction.

As shown in FIG. 25 , a boss part 126 that surrounds the through hole 126 a is provided on the outer circumference of the wall part 120. One end of a pipe 127 is fitted into the boss part 126 from the rotation axis X direction.

The pipe 127 passes through the outside of the second box 12 to the third box 13. The other end of the pipe 127 communicates with the oil hole 136 a provided in the cylindrical connecting wall 136 of the third box 13 (see FIG. 2 ).

A portion of the oil OL scooped up by the differential case 50 rotating around the rotation axis X and that has reached the oil catch unit 15 passes through the guide unit 154 and the pipe 127, and is supplied to the internal space Sc of the connecting wall 136.

A radial oil passage 137 that communicates with the internal space Sc is provided in the third box 13.

The radial oil passage 137 extends radially downward from the internal space Sc. The radial oil passage 137 communicates with the axial oil passage 138 provided inside the junction part 132.

The axil oil passage 138 connects with the oil reservoir 128 provided at the bottom of the second box 12 via the communication hole 112 a provided in the junction part 112 of the first box 11.

The oil reservoir 128 penetrates inside the peripheral wall part 121 in the rotation axis X direction. The oil reservoir 128 connects with the second gear chamber Sb2 provided in the fourth box 14.

The operation of the power transmission device 1 of this configuration is explained.

As shown in FIG. 1 , in the power transmission device 1, the planetary reduction gear 4, the differential device 5, and the drive shafts 9 (9A, 9B) are provided along the transmission route of the output rotation of the motor 2.

As shown in FIG. 2 , when the rotor core 21 rotates around the rotation axis X by driving of the motor 2, the rotation is inputted to the sun gear 41 of the planetary reduction gear 4 via the motor shaft 20 that rotates integrally with the rotor core 21.

As shown in FIG. 3 , with the planetary reduction gear 4, the sun gear 41 serves as the input unit of the output rotation of the motor 2. The differential case 50 that supports the stepped pinion gear 43 serves as the output unit of the inputted rotation.

When the sun gear 41 rotates around the rotation axis X by the inputted rotation, the stepped pinion gear 43 (large diameter gear part 431, small diameter gear part 432) rotates around the axis line X1 by the rotation inputted from the sun gear 41 side.

Here, the small diameter gear part 432 of the stepped pinion gear 43 is engaged with the ring gear 42 fixed to the inner circumference of the fourth box 14. For that reason, the stepped pinion gear 43 revolves around the rotation axis X while auto-rotating around the axis line X1. The drive shaft 9B is positioned at the inner circumference of the revolution orbit of the stepped pinion gear 43.

Here, with the stepped pinion gear 43, the outer diameter R2 of the small diameter gear part 432 is smaller than the outer diameter R1 of the large diameter gear part 431 (see FIG. 3 ).

By doing this, the differential case 50 (first case unit 6, second case unit 7) that supports the stepped pinion gear 43 rotates around the rotation axis X at a rotation speed lower than the rotation inputted from the motor 2 side.

For that reason, the rotation inputted to the sun gear 41 of the planetary reduction gear 4 is significantly reduced by the stepped pinion gear 43. The reduced rotation is outputted to the differential case 50 (differential mechanism 5).

By the differential case 50 rotating around the rotation axis X by the inputted rotation, inside the differential case 50, the drive shafts 9 (9A, 9B) that engage with the pinion mate gear 52 rotate around the rotation axis X. As a result, drive wheels W, W (see FIG. 1 ) at the left and right of the vehicle in which the power transmission device 1 is mounted rotate by the transmitted rotational drive power.

As shown in FIG. 2 , the oil OL for lubrication is retained inside the fourth box 14. For that reason, the retained oil OL is scooped up by the differential case 50 rotating around the rotation axis X during transmission of the output rotation of the motor 2.

The engagement part between the sun gear 41 and the large diameter gear part 431, the engagement part between the small diameter gear part 432 and the ring gear 42, and the engagement part between the pinion mate gear 52 and the side gears 54A, 54B are lubricated by the scooped-up oil OL.

As shown in FIG. 23 , the differential case 50 seen from the third box 13 side rotates in the counterclockwise direction CCW around the rotation axis X.

The oil catch unit 15 is provided on the top part of the fourth box 14. The oil catch unit 15 is positioned at the downstream side in the rotation direction of the differential case 50. Much of the oil OL scooped up by the differential case 50 flows into the oil catch unit 15.

As shown in FIG. 26 , the oil guide 152 mounted on the support stand 151 is provided in the oil catch unit 15.

The guide unit 154 and the catch unit 153 of the oil guide 152 are positioned at the radial outside of the first case unit 6 of the differential case 50 and the radial outside of the second case unit 7 of the differential case 50.

For that reason, much of the oil that is scooped up by the differential case 50 and flows into the oil catch unit 15 is captured by the oil guide 152.

A portion of the oil OL captured by the oil guide 152 is discharged from the notch part 155 provided in the wall part 153 a. The discharged oil OL flows into the oil passage 151 a for which one end is opened on the top surface of the support stand 151.

The end part of the inner diameter side of the oil passage 151 a is open at the inner circumference of the support unit 145 (see FIG. 2 ). For that reason, the oil OL that flows into the oil passage 151 a is discharged to a gap Rx between the inner circumference of the support unit 145 of the fourth box 14 and the cylinder wall part 540 of the side gear 54B.

A portion of the oil OL discharged to the gap Rx lubricates the bearing B2 supported by the support unit 145. The oil OL that lubricates the bearing B2 moves on the outside (bearing B2 side) of the differential case 50 to the outer diameter side by the centrifugal force by rotation of the differential case 50 (see FIG. 17 , FIG. 18 ).

The guide unit 73 that forms a ring shape seen from the rotation axis X direction is provided on the outer diameter side of the differential case 50. For that reason, the oil OL that moved to the outer diameter side is captured by the guide unit 73 part.

As shown in FIG. 13 , the oil hole 710 is provided along the inner circumference surface 731 of the guide unit 73 at the base 71 of the second case unit 7. Further movement of the oil OL to the outer diameter side is obstructed by the guide unit 73. The oil OL for which movement has been obstructed passes through the oil hole 710 open in the inner circumference of the guide unit 73 to the first case unit 6 side.

Here, ribs 711 are provided between adjacent oil holes 710, 710 in the circumferential direction around rotation axis X at the surface of the bearing B2 side in the second case unit 7 (see FIG. 16 ).

As shown in FIG. 16 and FIG. 20 , during forward travel of the vehicle in which the power transmission device 1 is mounted, the differential case 50 (second case unit 7) rotates in the clockwise direction in the drawing.

The oil OL moves to the outer diameter side by the centrifugal force by the rotation of the differential case 50. The oil OL that did not directly flow into the oil hole 710 moves to the downstream side in the rotation direction of the differential case 50 while moving to the outer diameter side as shown by the dotted line arrow of FIG. 20 .

The ribs 711 are positioned at the downstream side in the rotation direction of the differential case 50. The flow of the oil OL that moved to the downstream side is dammed by the ribs 711.

The region in which the oil OL is dammed and accumulated by the ribs 711 expands facing the upstream side in the rotation direction of the differential case 50. The oil OL that expanded facing the upstream side reaches the oil hole 710, and flows into the oil hole 710.

In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 19 , recessed grooves 711 a, 711 b are provided at the side surface of the rib 711. For that reason, much of the oil OL that reaches the ribs 711 does not go past the ribs 711 and accumulates at the ribs 711.

The recessed groove 711 a is a part that contributes to the accumulation of the oil OL during forward travel of the vehicle in which the power transmission device 1 is mounted. The recessed groove 711 b is a part that contributes to the accumulation of the oil OL during reverse travel of the vehicle in which the power transmission device 1 is mounted.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 19 and FIG. 20 , the projection 73 a is provided on the guide unit 73. The inner circumference surface 731 between the projection 73 a and the base 71 of the second case unit 7 functions as the oil groove.

The oil OL reaches the guide unit 73 by the centrifugal force by the rotation of the differential case 50. Much of the oil OL that reaches the guide unit 73 does not get past the guide unit 73, and flows into the oil hole 710 that opens in the rotation axis X direction on the side of the inner circumference surface 731.

As shown in FIG. 4 , at the first case unit 6 side of the oil hole 710, the case-internal oil passage 781 is open in the inner circumference of the guide unit 78. A portion of the oil OL that passes through the oil hole 710 flows inside the case-internal oil passage 781 by the centrifugal force by the rotation of the differential case 50.

The oil OL that flows into the case-internal oil passage 781 passes through the introduction path 441 and flows into the shaft-internal oil passage 440 of the pinion shaft 44. The oil OL that flows into the shaft-internal oil passage 440 is discharged radially outside from the oil holes 442, 443. The discharged oil OL lubricates the needle bearing NB externally fitted on the pinion shaft 44.

Here, as shown in FIG. 13 , the case-internal oil passage 781 is inclined with respect to the axis line X1 in a direction in which the separation distance Dc from the oil hole 710 becomes shorter toward the rotation axis X side (inner diameter side).

For that reason, much of the oil OL that passes through the oil hole 710 and flows to inside the differential case 50 flows into the case-internal oil passage 781 before diffusing due to centrifugal force by the rotation of the differential case 50.

When the separation distance Dc between the opening 781 a of the rotation axis X side of the case-internal oil passage 781 and the oil hole 710 becomes large, before reaching the opening 781 a, the amount of oil OL that is diffused by the centrifugal force by rotation of the differential case 50 increases. As a result, the total amount of the oil OL that flows into the case-internal oil passage 781 is reduced.

Furthermore, of the oil OL that passes through the oil hole 710 to the first case unit 6 side, much of the oil OL that did not flow into the case-internal oil passage 781 lubricates the pinion mate gear 52 positioned at the inner diameter side of the stepped pinion gear 43, and the engagement part between the pinion mate gear 52 and the side gears 54A, 54B.

Furthermore, a portion of the oil OL discharged to the gap Rx passes through the oil groove 721 provided on the inner circumference of the cylinder wall part 72 of the second case unit 7 as shown in FIG. 14 . The oil OL that passes through the oil groove 721 is supplied to the washer 55 that supports the back surface of the side gear 54B and lubricates the washer 55.

Furthermore, the oil OL passes through the oil groove 712 provided in the base 71 of the second case unit 7 and the oil groove 742 provided in the arc part 741. The oil OL that passes through the oil groove 742 is supplied to the spherical washer 53 that supports the back surface of the pinion mate gear 52 and lubricates the spherical washer 53.

A portion of the oil OL captured by the oil guide 152 of the oil catch unit 15 is discharged to the guide unit 154 side (see FIG. 24 ). The tip 154 b of the guide unit 154 faces the through hole 126 a provided in the wall part 120 of the second box 12 with a gap open in the rotation axis X direction (see FIG. 25 ).

For that reason, much of the oil OL discharged to the guide unit 154 side flows into the through hole 126 a of the second box 12.

The boss part 126 surrounding the through hole 126 a is provided on the outer circumference of the wall part 120. One end of the pipe 127 is fitted into the boss part 126 from the rotation axis X direction.

The pipe 127 passes through the outside of the second box 12 and extends to the third box 13. The other end of the pipe 127 communicates with the oil hole 136 a provided in the cylindrical connecting wall 136 of the third box (see FIG. 2 ).

For that reason, in the present embodiment, a portion of the oil OL that reaches the oil catch unit 15 passes through the guide unit 154 and the pipe 127 and is supplied to the internal space Sc of the connecting wall 136.

The oil OL discharged from the oil hole 136 a to the internal space Sc is retained in the internal space Sc. The oil OL lubricates the bearing B4 supported by the peripheral wall part 131 of the third box 13.

A portion of the oil OL discharged to the internal space Sc passes through the gap between the outer circumference of the drive shaft 9A and the inner circumference of the motor shaft 20, and moves to the other end 20 b side of the motor shaft 20.

As shown in FIG. 10 , the other end 20 b of the motor shaft 20 is inserted inside the cylinder wall part 541 of the side gear 54A. A connection path 542 that communicates with the back surface of the side gear 54A is provided on the inner circumference of the cylinder wall part 541.

For that reason, a portion of the oil OL that moves to the other end 20 b side of the motor shaft 20 and is discharged to inside the cylinder wall part 541 passes through the connection path 542. The oil OL that passes through the connection path 542 is supplied to the washer 55 of the back surface of the side gear 54A and lubricates the washer 55.

Furthermore, the oil OL that lubricates the washer 55 of the back surface of the side gear 54A passes through the oil groove 662 provided on the gear support part 66 of the first case unit 6 and the oil groove 642 provided on the arc part 641. The oil OL that passes through the oil groove 642 is supplied to the spherical washer 53 that supports the back surface of the pinion mate gear 52 and lubricates the spherical washer 53.

Also, as shown in FIG. 2 , the internal space Sc of the third box 13 connects with the second gear chamber Sb2 provided in the fourth box 14 via the radial oil passage 137, the axial oil passage 138, the communication hole 112 a, and the oil reservoir 128 provided at the bottom of the second box 12.

For that reason, the oil OL inside the internal space Sc is held at a position at the same height at which the oil OL is retained inside the fourth box 14.

In this way, much of the oil OL scooped up by the differential case 50 rotating around the rotation axis X flows into the oil catch unit 15. The oil OL is supplied from the oil catch unit 15 to inside the support unit 145 of the fourth box 14 and lubricates the bearing B2. The oil OL is also supplied to the internal space Sc inside the third box 13 and lubricates the bearing B4.

Also, the oil OL that lubricates these bearings B2, B4 is ultimately returned to inside the fourth box 14, and scooped up by the rotating differential case 50.

Thus, in the power transmission device 1, the oil OL inside the fourth box 14 is scooped up during rotation of the drive wheels W, W, and is used for lubrication of the bearings and engagement parts between gears with each other. The oil OL used for lubrication is returned to inside the fourth box 14 and made to be able to be scooped up again.

As described above, the power transmission device 1 of the present embodiment has the following configuration.

(1) The power transmission device 1 comprises:

a drive shaft 9A (second drive shaft) and a drive shaft 9B (first drive shaft),

a differential mechanism 5 connected with the drive shafts 9A, 9B,

a differential case 50 (case) that houses the differential mechanism 5 and that has the oil holes 710,

a pinion shaft 44 that is supported by the differential case 50,

a stepped pinion gear 43 (pinion gear) that has the pinion shaft 44 as the shaft center, and

needle bearings NB (bearing) positioned between the pinion shaft 44 and the stepped pinion gear 43.

The oil holes 710 open facing the outside of the differential case 50, and the needle bearings NB are lubricated by the oil OL supplied via the oil holes 710.

The oil OL (lubricating oil) on the outside of the differential case 50 is sent into the oil holes 710 that open facing the outside of the differential case 50. By working in this way, it is possible to increase the lubrication amount of the needle bearings NB which are the bearings of the pinion shaft 44.

In other words, by forming the oil holes 710 open facing the outside of the differential case 50, it is possible to effectively use the oil OL (lubricating oil) of the outside of the differential case 50 that was not used previously, and possible to increase the lubrication amount of the needle bearings NB which are the bearings of the pinion shaft 44.

The power transmission device 1 of the present embodiment has the following configuration.

(2) The drive shaft 9B is positioned at the inner circumference of the revolution orbit of the stepped pinion gear 43.

The oil hole 710 is positioned at the outer circumference of the drive shaft 9B.

By forming the oil hole 710 at the drive shaft 9B side at which the stepped pinion gear 43 and the differential mechanism 5 are not densely gathered, it is possible to introduce the oil OL (lubricating oil) into the oil hole 710 smoothly.

Here, the term “positioned on the outer circumference” in this specification is synonymous with overlapping in the radial direction on the outside. “Positioned on the inner circumference” is synonymous with overlapping in the radial direction on the inside.

The power transmission device 1 of the present embodiment has the following configuration.

(3) The power transmission device 1 has the fourth box 14 (box) that houses the stepped pinion gear 43, the differential mechanism 5, and the differential case 50.

The oil passage 151 a (box-internal oil passage) that guides the oil OL (lubricating oil) scooped up by revolution and/or auto-rotation of the stepped pinion gear 43 to the drive shaft 9B is formed in the fourth box 14.

When the differential case 50 rotates around the rotation axis X, the periphery of the drive shaft 9A has a greater volume of the scooped-up oil OL (lubricating oil) than the periphery of the drive shaft 9B. For that reason, by forming the oil passage 151 a (box-internal oil passage) at the drive shaft 9B side in the fourth box 14, it is possible to further increase the lubrication amount to the needle bearing NB that supports the stepped pinion gear 43.

The power transmission device 1 of the present embodiment has the following configuration.

(4) The oil holes 710 open facing the rotation axis X direction outside.

By the oil holes 710 being provided open facing the rotation axis X direction outside (the direction parallel to the direction from the drive shaft 9A to the drive shaft 9B), it is easier to introduce the oil OL (lubricating oil) compared to an opening facing the upper side.

The opening surface does not have to be orthogonal to the axis direction, and for example, even if the opening surface is inclined, as long as it is possible to introduce the lubricating oil from the axis direction side, this can be referred to as opening facing the axis direction outside.

The power transmission device 1 of the present embodiment has the following configuration.

(5) In the second case unit 7 of the differential case 50 that supports the drive shaft 9B (second drive shaft), there is the guide unit 73 arranged on the outer circumference of the cylinder wall part 72 (shaft support part) that supports the outer circumference of the drive shaft 9B.

The inner circumference surface 731 of the guide unit 73 is adjacent to the oil hole 710.

Using the centrifugal force by the rotation of the guide unit 73 of the second case unit 7, the oil OL (lubricating oil) on the outside of the differential case 50 is moved toward the oil holes 710, and can be introduced into the oil holes 710 smoothly.

The guide unit 73 may be formed integrally with the differential case 50, or may be formed separately.

Here, the inner circumference surface 731 of the guide unit 73 is adjacent to the oil hole 710. Said another way, the oil OL (lubricating oil) is introduced into the oil hole 710 via the surface of the inner circumference surface 731 of the guide unit 73.

The power transmission device 1 of the present embodiment has the following configuration.

(6) The pinion shaft 44 is positioned at the outer circumference of the drive shafts 9A, 9B.

By stretching the pinion shaft 44 long in the rotation axis X direction, it is possible to shorten the distance from the oil holes 710 to the pinion shaft 44, making it possible to reduce oil passage resistance.

The power transmission device 1 of the present embodiment has the following configuration.

(7) The power transmission device 1 has the sun gear 41 that engages with the stepped pinion gear 43.

The motor 2 is positioned at the upstream side of the sun gear 41 on the power transmission route in the power transmission device 1.

The drive shaft 9A penetrates the sun gear 41 and the motor 2 motor shaft 20 inner circumference in the rotation axis direction.

It is possible to provide a compact power transmission device that is a power transmission device for a single-axle electric vehicle.

Above, embodiments of the invention of the present application were explained, but the invention of the present application is not limited only to the modes shown in the embodiments. It can be modified as appropriate within the scope of the technical concepts of the invention.

EXPLANATION OF CODES

-   -   1: Power transmission device; 14: Fourth box (box); 151 a: Oil         passage (box-internal oil passage); 2: Motor; 20: Motor shaft;         41: Sun gear; 43: Stepped pinion gear (pinion gear); 44: Pinion         shaft; 5: Differential mechanism; 50: Differential case (case);         7: Second case unit; 710: Oil hole; 72: Cylinder wall part         (shaft support part); 73: Guide unit; 731: Inner circumference         surface; 9A: Drive shaft (second drive shaft); 9B: Drive shaft         (first drive shaft); NB: Needle bearing (bearing); OL: Oil         (lubricating oil); and X: Rotation axis. 

The invention claimed is:
 1. A power transmission device comprising: a first drive shaft; a second drive shaft; a differential mechanism connected to the second drive shaft, the differential mechanism including a first side gear connected to the first drive shaft, a second side gear, a first pinion mate gear that engages with the first side gear and the second side gear, a second pinion mate gear that engages with the first side gear and the second side gear, a first pinion mate shaft that supports the first pinion mate gear, and a second pinion mate shaft that supports the second pinion mate gear; a case that houses the differential mechanism, and defines an oil hole; a pinion shaft supported by the case; a pinion gear that uses the pinion shaft as a shaft center, the pinion gear including a small diameter gear part and a large diameter gear part; and a bearing that is positioned between the pinion shaft and the pinion gear, and that is lubricated via the oil hole that is open facing an outside of the case at a small diameter gear part side, wherein the small diameter gear part is positioned between the first pinion mate shaft and the second pinion mate shaft in a circumferential direction.
 2. The power transmission device according to claim 1, wherein the first drive shaft is positioned on an inner circumference of a revolution orbit of the pinion gear, and the oil hole is positioned on an outer circumference of the second drive shaft.
 3. The power transmission device according to claim 2, further comprising a box that houses the pinion gear, the differential mechanism, and the case, wherein in the box, a box-internal oil passage is formed that guides lubricating oil scooped up by revolution and/or auto-rotation of the pinion gear to the second drive shaft.
 4. The power transmission device according to claim 3, wherein the oil hole is open facing the outside in an axis direction.
 5. The power transmission device according to claim 4, further comprising a guide unit arranged on an outer circumference of a shaft support part of the case that supports the second drive shaft, wherein an inner circumference surface of the guide unit is adjacent to the oil hole.
 6. The power transmission device according to claim 5, wherein the pinion shaft is positioned on an outer circumference of the first side gear and the second side gear.
 7. The power transmission device according to claim 6, further comprising a sun gear that engages with the pinion gear, and a motor arranged upstream of the sun gear, wherein the first drive shaft penetrates inner circumferences of the sun gear and the motor.
 8. The power transmission device according to claim 1, wherein the oil hole is open facing the outside in an axis direction.
 9. The power transmission device according to claim 1, further comprising a guide unit arranged on an outer circumference of a shaft support part of the case that supports the second drive shaft, wherein an inner circumference surface of the guide unit is adjacent to the oil hole.
 10. The power transmission device according to claim 1, wherein the pinion shaft is positioned on an outer circumference of the first side gear and the second side gear.
 11. The power transmission device according to claim 1, further comprising a sun gear that engages with the pinion gear, and a motor arranged upstream of the sun gear, wherein the first drive shaft penetrates inner circumferences of the sun gear and the motor. 